Train dispatching system for railroads



April 9, 1935. g c 1,997,543

TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed May 24, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTO @ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvm v mm 3m N3 v kw W :2 own emm l. Ma 1L 3N1 ovw L O. H. DICKE Filed May 24, 1929 TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS April 9, 1935.

April 9, 193 5. 0 H b c 1,997,543

TRAIN- DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROAD S Filed May 24, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY WM J g ATTORNEY Patented Apr, 9,1935 d s I UNITED STATES: 'P-ercnrorrrcc or TRAIN ,DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR: l I :RAILROADS" Oscar I-I. Dicke', Rochester, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Signal (lompany, Rochester, N. Y. j s

ApplicationMa'y 24, 1929, serial No, 365,641

I s s 125Claiins. (Cl .]246,3) H v M v s This invention relates to train dispatching sys- Morespecifically, the present invention resides tems, and more particularly to atrain dispatchin a doublesynchronous selector system one ing" system of the synchronous selector type inbranch of which is controlledtby polar directcurcluding synchronous apparatus for selecting way rent relays; and the oth'er branch of which is constations'and synchronous apparatus for selecttrolled byalternating current relays-connected 5 ing specific message circuit branches at such Way in multiple withfsaid directcurrent relays; Each stations, 1 a i alternating current relay controls a series of Inthe provision of train dispatching appara stepping relaysl rorselecting the waystations, tus, not only is it necessary to control distant whereas the direct current polar line relay at 10 traffic controlling devices, but it is essential to each way'station controls a series of stepping 10 indicate in the dispatchers oilice how trains are relays only when such .way station is selected, and progressing, by repeating in the dispatchers omce eachof these stepping relays is adapted to transthe condition of track relays associated with varimit" a' certain indication to the dispatchers ofiice.

ous track sections along the railway track, and Also, distinctive -controls are transmitted to a 1 further it is alsoimportant for the dispatcher to particular selected way station, a particular 15' know the indicating conditions ofwayside signals OSing channel circuit: is completed for m'ore and the positions of track switches in the Yterrithana prdtermined' pe i time- I11 Other tory under his control. In certainsystems there words, the message circuits, whereby indications are substantially as 'manywdistinctive controls are transmitted fromtheway' station to the diso to be transmitted to a particular way stationas patchers mice are notused forthe purpose of 20 there are number of indicating conditions that transmittinga control to the distant way station, must be transmittedtothe dispatchers office, but this controlis transmitted'bylthe fact that and the present invention is particularly well a particular channelselecting relay is energized adapted to a system of this kind, for reasons for a longer time than it would be if such control pointed out hereinafter; Also,-sincethe\various werenot tolbe' transmitted. Putting it briefly, 5

wayside signals and switch machines are.conthesy'stemembodying the present inventionre- 1 trolled from a central point, namely the dispatchsides-inlan OS scanning synchronousselector sys-,

ers ofiice, but whereas the indicationsof train term, in which,'ifa particular OS channel is com- I progress, indicating conditions of signals and popletedformore than the usual stepping time, the

sitions of switch machinesToriginate at'tal'arge energizationofa slow-acting relay is effected, 30

number of distributed wayfstations it becomes whichcompl'etes a'loca'lcircuitcarryingthrough apparentthat the rapidity ofindicatingl OS-ing a frontcontact of such slow-acting relay and functions, of a train dispatching system are much the, frontncontactfof the channel selectinglrelay, more essential than are the rapidity with which the completion of which local circuit sets up a 5 controlling functionsare:carried out. In other control'condition at, such way station whichwill 3 words, the various controlling conditions originate remainin effect, until cancelled by "a conflicting with the dispatcher himself and therefore can control-condition; r neverbe a surprise to him, whereas the indicating "'Other'featuresof the present invention reside conditions originate at distant points and are inltheprovisionfota series of steppingrelays in l 40 transmitted automatically and are in the nature the dispatchers officaused not only for control- 40 l I of a'surprise to the dispatcher. In order to inling the polar stepping relays distributed along form the dispatcher as quickly'as possible of certhe railway system oneateachway station, but taint changes in trafiic conditions, the feature of also used for controlling the alternating current transmitting OS indications should have prefline relays, which in turn control stepping relays 5 erence overthe .control featuresoi the system, for selecting way stations, and arestill further and should not be delayed more than" absolutely so'organiz'ed'that upon" movement of a lever by necessary. The dispatching, system embodying the dispatchenahesitation is caused to occur at the present inventionis;-so organizedithat under a particular step inthe stepping sequence, thereby normal conditions, that is, when the dispatcher causing a certain control function to occur. An has not recently moved a lever, thesynchronous other feature of the present,invention'resides in ,50 selector system scans, so to speak,-the conditions a circuit arrangement whereby the combination, of the 'varioustrack relays; switch machine posi+ of lever positions determines the character oi the tions, and signal indicating conditions, so that no control to .be transmittedl'to', the corresponding, timeis lost inproperly informing the dispatcher distant way. stations 1; i a of conditionsoi trafiic on the railway system: 1 Other objects, purposesan'd characteristic rea ,55

relays, hesitating relay, and reset relay of an other way station.

.S'tructu're;-Referring to Fig. 1C of the draw.-

ings, the present invention has been shown ap-' plied to a single track railway. system, preferably equipped with absolute-pernfissive-block signalling; and which railway system includes a plurality of passing sidings; with each passing siding having its track switches preferably operated by switch machines and-having each end thereof preferably providedwith the'usual stop-andstay starting and entering signals. v

For convenience and forthe purpose of simplification only a single passing siding PS has been illustrated, At the-east end of. this passing siding are provided a main starting signal S a dwarf starting signal S for controlling the movement of trains off of the main track and siding respectively, a main entering signal S and 2. takes.

siding signal S for governing vthemovernent of trains into the main track and siding, respectively, 7

the switch at this east end of the siding being controlled by the switch machine SM. This track switch at the east end ofpassing siding IPS has associated with it the usual'detector track circuit including the detector track relay DT and a track battery H3. Similarly, the condition 'of'the occupancy of the main. track of the passing siding is manifested by a track relay '1 of the usual normally closed type track circuit including the track battery i I. I i

' In order to aid the dispatcher in observing the progress of trains on' the system, there is provided in the dispatchers oflice a miniaturetrack layout reproducingin every detail the layout of the railway system over which he'has control, and of which the miniature passing siding ps for convenienceonly has been illustrated (see Fig.

Associated with the east end of this miniature passing siding ps is a switch machine lever SML and a signal control lever SCL, and suitable indicating lamps, or other indicators, for indicating. the'position of the switch machine, indicating the condition of the signals, and indicating the occupancy of the detector track circuit and the track circuit for the main track of the passing siding.

r of the signals are at stop.

Referring again toEig'. 1C. of the drawings the wayside signals S S S and S and the switch [machine SM at way station No. 2 are controlled by the fourpolar permanent magnet stick relays EM, ES, WM and WS. The reference characters of these relays indicate their functions as followsz-relay EM when energized to the right sets up east bound tramc on the main track, relay.

WM to the right sets up west bound traflic on the main track, relay ES to the right sets up east bound traflic on the siding, and relay WS to the right sets up west bound traflic on the siding, these relays being so controlled that only one of these relays assumes theright hand position at one time. These relays EM, WM, ES and WS are controlled by the neutral relays CA CB CO CD and relay ST in a manner as more particularly described hereinafter.

The, stepp ng line extends throughout the entire railway system, and at each way station includes in series therewith one of the direct currentpolar relays LR LR LE etc., each way station direct current polar line relay having in multiple therewithan alternating current transfer line relay TR having a corresponding exponent. If desired, however, two separate line wires may be used one containing the direct current relays and the other containing the alternating current relaysin series. V

For the way station No. I there have been illustrated only the line'relays LR and TR and the slow-acting relays HR and RSR controlled by thev line relay LR For the way station No. 2, however, have been illustrated a series of station selecting stepping relays SR SR SR etc. which are controlled by the alternating current trans fer relay TR these station selecting relays rendering effective the direct current polar line relay of the particular station that has been selected, so that such direct current polar, relay may control the channel selecting relays of that particular way station. For way station No. 2 these channel selecting relays have been designated A B C D and E and these channel selecting relays for way station No. '2 can be controlled only by the line relay LR when the station selecting relay SR is energized, all in a manner as pointed out in the operationhereim after. i i 1 Each Way station is'also provided with a slowacting hesitating relay, which hesitating relay HR, for way station No. 2 throughthemediumof a particular channel selecting relay A B etc. may. control a particular control relay such as CA CB CC CD and ST when the system hesitates during the step when a particular channel selecting relay is energized.

relay designated RSR RSR etc. which reset relays assure that all of the way station selecting relays SR SR SR ,'et c. and all of the channel selecting relays A, B, C, D and E, each having a proper distinctive exponent corresponding to the way station, have assumed their de-energized condition when the's ystem begins a new cycle of operation.

In the dispatchers ofiice (see Figs. 1A and 113) there are provided a series of stepping relays IA, IB, IC, ID, lE, 2A, 2B, 2C, -2D, 2E, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, etc. which stepping relays are connected in a circuit arrangement to be successively energized and in turn repeatedly change the polarity of currentapplied to the stepping line and also apply alternating current to this stepping line I at intervals and during a predetermined number of steps of application of direct current to this stepping line I. Further, in order to cause particular relays in this series of stepping which condenser prevents the' fiow of direct current through this generator HFGL The indicating lamps shown in the dispatchers oflice and heretofore described are controlled by indicating relays designated SI, TI, DI, EW, and 'SMI, the functionsof which will be described more particularly hereinafter; i t N In Fig. 1A of thedrawings, there hasbeen shown a battery 25, having itsmidpoint lconnectedto the commonreturn wire C through a knife I switch 26. The two extreme terminals of this battery 25 have beencdesignated (3+) and (B-), which furnish positive and negative potential respectively, with respect to said common wire C. It will be noted that certain of the wires? in Figs. 1A and 1B terminate at-spoints similarly designated as (13+) and: (B- ),Lwhich are understoodto be the'terminals of. battery 25. Also, certain other. points in the Figs. 1A; and 13 designated as B are to have a suitable positive potential from a suitable battery appliedlto these points with respect to the common wire C. It will be further noted that the points in Fig; 10 which are designated (3+) and (B.) are furnished with positive or, negativepotential in respect to the commonwire'C from someysuitable source located at that particularstation, while the points (operating characteristics of the invention;

marked B receive positive potential from the same or some other suitable source with respect to thecommon wire C.

It will be noted here that the switch 26 is used to stop the system for repairs or other suitable reasons, and has been cific ease.

Having made brief "reference to'thejvarious structural features, it is considered, expedient to 'showncpen in this spenowtake up the operation of the system in order toget a complete understanding (of the nature -and l Operationi p The dispatching system shown as an embodi ment oi the present invention, is normallysin operation for OS scanning. In other words; the system normally operates -to--sel'ect each ay station in proper sequence, and while havingia particular wayfstation selected; a plurality of message channels are set up, overwhich OS indications, or other indications, may be transmitted to the dispatchers office.

, The various trafiic controlling devices according to this invention are governedcollectively accord'- ing to theroute over which itis desired to have a particular train pass, rather than controlling each individual traiiic controlling device sepaa rately. Also, rather than transmitting a disf tinctive impulse through amessage channel from the dispatchers office to a particular way station for controlling the trafiic controlling devices, this invention sets forth a means whereby localfcircuits are completed, which may be conveniently termed local hesitation repeater circuits, as these circuits are due to the repetition; of hesitation the movement of certain controllevers. l h As theseseveral operations or functionsof the {their co-relation with each other.

caused in the dispatchers' office as "a result of system arefdistinctivewithin themselves, par-jticul'ar attention will be directed to the discussion concerning each operation separately as well I as Sequential"popcrations -To facilitate descrip ticnof the system, the switch 26 has been shown 'opennso that the variousfrelays will be at rest, which relays for convenience have been shown as if theyghad just completed a cycle of opera- Let usinow assume, that the switch 26 is closed to render the -battery'25 available for the applicationofcurrent tothe stepping wire I. I f

r 'Theclosure of switch 26 applies current, of negativepolarity. to the stepping line I and causes the "line relays LR,LR anclLR to be operated to the left through the following circuitc-Joeginningat theterminal (13 back contact 2!! of relay-3E, back contacts 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,21, 28,, 29,303 II, 32, 33, and 34 of the Various stepping relays in the dispatchers office, inductive reactancel35, which chokes' back the flow of, high frequency alternating current therethrough,

line relay .LR,. stepping line l between the dis patchers officeand way station No. I line relay LE stepping line between way station No. I

and Way station No.12 lin'ei'elay LE tocoinmjon" return wire C connected through the switchi26 to the battery 25. The completion of this'circuit causesthe, line relays LE9, LRL LP to be operated to their leftlhand positions, but

sin-ce'none of the station selecting relays SR SR sR3jare -now in their energized condition no parway ,stations'at thistime in response to this change in the position'of the line relays LR and LE Movement of the line relayLR to the left ticularLiunctiOnwill becarried out at any of the e howeven vwill complete thefollowing energizing circuit for thesteppingfrelay IIA:beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, contact 3? of line irelay LR! in its lefthand position, wires 38 'andf'filhbackcontact 85, wires 40 and ii, winding-of the relay ,IA', wire 42, back contact 43 fof'erelay I.B,"wires, 44 and 45, back contact 45 .ofrelay I Cywires 41 and 48,'back contact 49 of I relay ID,,wires,50 and 5|, backcontact 52 of relay IE, wires 53 and 54, back contact 55 of relay 2A, wires,- 56 and5'l, back contact'58 of relay 2B,

wire s59 and an, back contactfil of relayiC, wires 2 and 63, back contact 64 of relay 2D, wires 65 and 661, back contact 6110f relay 2E, wires 68 and 69, backfcontact 'lll of relay 3A, wires 'II andl'Z,

back contacts; I3'of relay 3B,wires.'l4 and "I5,

. back contact 16' of relay 30, wires TI and I3, back i contact 19 of relay 3D, wires and 8|,and back contact.,82 of therelay 3E, to thecommon return wire 0 connected to the other terminal of the battery. -,The completion of-thiscircuiteffects energization of the relay IA, thereby causing the following stick circuit to be closedz -beginning at the terminal B of thesame battery, front stick contact 8 3,,ofthe relay IA, wires 84"and 4!, winding of the relay I A; and theelements 42 to 82 in- ,clusive of the circuit'justtraced, so that the relay I A remains stuck up until this stick circuit is broken. i

Having nowexplained how movement of the line relay LR from its right hand position to its left hand position has picked up the relay IA, attention is directed tothe fact that similar movement of the, line relay LR to its left hand position causes reversal'of the polarity applied to the reset relayRSR so that" this relay RSR assumes its ,deenergized position.

It will .be noted here, that the contacts of .relays RSR RSR. and etc. are slow to pick-up,

requiring a time which is greater than the pickup timeofthe relays ER ,JHR etc. It will:a1so be noted that the pick-up time of the relays HR and HR is equal to the pick-up timeof the relays HA, HB and HD, or. in other words the relays HA, HB and HD, determine the periodof time diu'ing which the relays HR and I-IR may pick up. However, this period of time as determined by the relays HA, HB and I-ID is not suificiently long. enough to pick up the contacts of relays RSR and RSR which pick-up time for said re-set relays RSR and RSR is determined by the period of time during which the contacts of relay 3E are assuming an energized position. Hence, it is seen that under'normal operation, the contacts of the reset relays RSR RSRF, etc. are caused to assume deenergized positions by a positive impulse'placed' upon them, as a result of the energization of relay 3E, after the long negative impulse placed on the stepping line by relay 3D due to relay 3E having a slow pick-up period. Thus, the SR relay at each station is energized before the'negativeimpulse .is placed upon the stepping line for energizing relays IA andA I 1 With the relays RSR and RSR and all other reset relays deenergized., circuits are completed 'at the respective way stations through which. the

SR relay at each way stationinaybe energized.

With the relay RSIR? deenergized a circuit is closed for energizing the station selecting relay SR which .may be traced asfifollowsr-beginning at the terminal Bof a suitable battery (see Fig. 1C) back contact 90 of the alternating cur rent transfer relay TR wires 9| and 285, back contact 92, wire 93, winding of the relay SR wire 94, back contact 95 of the relay SR wires 95 and 9?, back contact 98 of the relay SR Wires 99, I 3 and H35, back contact I02 of the relay HER to the common return. wire C connected to the opposite terminal of said battery; It is thus seen, that at station No; I' the first chan- 'nel selecting relay A (not shown) may be picked up'at said way station, 'all in amanner as more clearly explained in connection with station No. 2 hereinafter. v I

With the relay lA now energized current of positive polarity is applied to the line circuit as followsz -beginning' at the terminal (B+) of battery 25, throughfront contact 36 of the relay iA, choke or inductive reactance 35, line relay LR", line wire i, line relay LR wire l, line relay LE to common return wire C, back to the mid point of battery 25. The'application. of this current moves the contacts of relays LR, LE and LR to the right, but this'operation-of the line relay LE accomplishes no result because the station selecting relay SR is still deenergized. Operation of the line relay LR however, effects energization of a channel selecting relay, not shown, and therefore its operation can not be conveniently pointed out.

Operation of'the line relay LR to the righ causes the relay IE to be energized through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal'B, contact 3'! of the relayLR to the right, wires M5, E20, and Iilfi, front contact IGI of, the relay 'iA, wires Hi8 and lll9,winding of the relay IB, wires Hi! and 15, and then through elements 46 to 82 inclusive, (see Figs. lAand IE) to common return wire C. With the contacts of relay-1B menus picked up, the following stick circuit for relay I3 is closed:be'ginning at the terminal B, front contacts III of the relay IB, wires H2 and I99, winding of the relay IB, wires I I and 45, and then through'elements46 to 82, inclusive, to common return wire C. Picking up of the contact 85 of relay IB opens the energizing circuit of relay IA, so that current cannot be fed back through stick contact 83 of relay IA to the wires 38 and 3S, and also'the picking up of contact 43 of this relay IB breaks the stick circuit for the relay- IA, so that, the relay IA is deenergized. Also,

with the contacts of relayv IB picked up, negative potential is applied to the line relays LR, LE and LE through front contact 33 of relay IB and back'contact 34 of relay IA, (this relay IA having been dropped by the opening of contact 43 of relay IB), so that these lineirelaysLR LR and LE are energized to the left.

With theline relay LR energized to the left thefollowing pick-up circuit for the relay IC is closeclz-beginning at the terminal B, contact 31 to the left, wires 38 and 39, front contact 85 of relay IB, wires H4 and H5, winding of the relay IC, wires IE6 and 48, through the elements 49 to 82, inclusive, (see Figs. lAand 1B), to common return wire C, connected to the other terminal of said battery. With the relay 'lC energized the following stick. circuit for this relay is closed:beginning at the terminal B, front stickcontact ,Ii'I of the relay IC, wires I it and H5, winding of the relay lC, wires H6 and it, andthen through elements 49 to 82, inclusive, to common return wireC.

With the contacts of relay" IC assuming their energized positions, positive potential is applied to thelinerelays LR", LR and LE through front contact 32 of relay IC and back contacts 33 and I 34 of 'relays'IB and IA, the relay. lB having assumed its deenergized position in response to I opening of its stick circuit at contact of. relay right hand position, wires I05, I26) and 2 E, front contact I22 of relay IC, Wires I23 and Hit, winding of the relay ID, wires I25 and ti, and then through elements 52-32 inclusive to common re turn wire C. With the relay lD energized, the

following stick circuit for this relay is closedi beginning at the terminal B, front contact i261 of the relay lD, wires I21 and l2tl, winding of in the relay ID, wires I25 and El, and then through elements 52-82, inclusive, to common return wire C. i I With the relay ID energized opening of its contact 49 deenergizes the stepping relay iC, thereby closing a circuit for energizing the linerelays LR LR 'and LR with current of negative. polarity, through the medium of front contact 32 of relay ID and back contacts 32 and 33 and 3% of the relays IC, IB and IA, respectively. I

With thecontacts of the relay LR now assuming left. hand positions the relay GE. is energized through the following circuitz-begirming at the terminal B, contact 37 of relay LE to the left, wires 33, I36 and i3I, front contact E32 of the relay ID, wires I33 and I33, winding of the relay IE, wires I35, and 54, and then through elements 55-82 inclusive to the common return wire C. With the contacts of relay IE picked up, it is stuck up through the following stick circuit:-

direct current cannot flow throughthe condenser beginning at the terminal B front contact I36 of the relay IE, wiresI31 and I34, winding of the relay IE, Wires (I95 and 54, elements to 82,

inclusive, to common return wire C.v I I generator Iii-PG, wires I38 and I39, front contact I48 of the relay IE, wire I4I, to the line wire I,

inductance I42, condenser I43 'windingof the alternating currenttransfer relay TRHline wire I between station No. 'I and station No. 2, induc-' tance' M8,. condenser" I45, winding of the relay TR and TR ,"whereas the direct current will'fiow freely through the line relays 'LR and LEt ,-"tliis because the inductance I44 and condenser I45 have "such constants as toresonate the branch circuit including inductance I44, condenser'l45 andrelay TR? in series with the fre'quencyof the I generator the inductance of. the line relay LR being sufilcient to suppress the flow of alternating current through said relayLR However,

I45, softhat the directcurrentfwill flow only through the line relay LE Withthisicircuit completedfor the alternating current; relays'TR and 'I'R will assume their energized positiona and. IUI, back contact I82 of the relays RSRP.

Thisrelay RSR remaining in its deenergized position, until the line relayLPt assumes 'oneor the other extreme positions for an extra long period of time. Picking up of the station selecting relay SR opens the stick circuit for the relay SR at the 7 back contact 95 of "the relay SR and closes its own stick circuit, which is traced as followsibeginning atthe terminal B, front contact I56,

wire I53, winding of relay SR wires I54iand 91, back contact 98 of re1aySR ,wires-99, I88 and I8 I backcontact I82 of the relay BSR With the station selecting relay SRFnow energized station No. 2 is selected and the channel selectingfrelays A B C D and E are rendered responsive to the changes in the position of the linerelay LE but since the line relay La son assumes its left handposition nothing-further happens fat this instarit. However, as soonasf the relay ID be* comes deenergized, positive potential is placedon the stepping wire I, through front contact 38, in asimilarv manner as heretofore explainedfoi proceeding message channel selectingrelays With the line relay LR assumihgits right'handl position the stepping relay ZAis energized through the following pick-upcircuit;-beginning at the, terminal B, contact 31 "of relay LR as umingits righthand position, wires I85, I51Iand. I58, front Contact of the relay i Wlres m and contact 201ofthe relay 2B,'wires 20a and 191,

winding of the relay zmwiresliiil and 51 through, V

' windingof the-relay'2B, w1res" I98 and 58, and

elements 58 to 82, inclusive, to common return wireC. With the relay 2A assuming its energized condition the following stick circuit for said relay 2A is-closed:-Ioeginning at the terminal B, front contactl I83,:wires I64 and? m, Winding h s relay v2A, wiresl52 and 51,; and then through" elements: 58 and 82 inclusive, to common return" wireC. I I I With theirelay 2A energized, it closes itsfront contact I 86; therebylshunting the contact I 48 of the relay, IE ,and ,maintaining the alternatingv current applied to the stepping line in spite of opening of, the contact I48,,,this relayIE being deenergized in response to energization of the relay 2Aby reason, of opening of back contact 55 omelet/2A. 1 I I With line relay LE assuming its righthand position, and with the station selecting relaySR. energized the following pick-uprcircuit is closed for the channel selecting relay A (the closure of this circuit beingisimultaneous with closure of the, pick-up circuit for relay ZA-just traced) beginning atthe terminal B of a suitable battery,

front contact, I66 0f the relay SR wire I81, polar;

contact I68ofthe relay LR assurning its right hand position,wir,es: I69 and I18, back contact III of the-relay B2,,wiresi I12and I13, winding of the relay: A wire I14, back contact I15of the relay B2, wires 1I18-"and I11,,back contact I18 of the relay C wires- I19and I88, back contact I8I ing stick, circuit therefore is c1osed: -beginning at the terminal 13, front: stick contact I81, of the relay A wires l88 -and' I13, winding of the relay With the contact!!!) of the relay TR assuming its attracted. position, the following pick up cir- I suit for the relay SR is closed:-beginning at the terminal B, front contact 99 of :therelay TR; wire I 58, front contact I51 of relayfSRl, wires I52 and I53, winding-of the'relay SRFfwires I54',-91, back contact 98 of the'relay SR wires 99, 188

A wire I,14,-contact;'l15, wires I16 and I11, contact I18, wires I19 and I88, contact I8I, wires l82fandyl83', contact I84, wires I85 front contact I89 oftheJrelayjSRhkwires I99, and HM, back relay; R53 to common return of negative polarity to thefstep'ping lineucauses the contactsof the line relays LR", LR' and LR toassumetheir left hand positions. The relays 2B andJ -B are now simultaneously energized through: the following respective circuits 1) beginning-at the .terminal B, contact 31 of relay LRIKto the left, wires 38, I38, I98 and I9I, front contact I92 ofthe relay 2A, wires I95, I98 and I81, winding of the relay 2B, wires I98 and 88, andthrough elements 6| to 82 inclusive, to common return wire C; and, (2). beginning at the terminal Bjfront Contact I683 of the relay SR (seeFig'",1C wire"I 81,icontact I58 of the relay LR 'assumingiits left hand position, wires 208 and 528i, front contact 282 of the relay A wires";

283 and 284, winding of the relay B wires 285 and I 11, contact I18, wires I19and I88, contact respective, stick circuits "are closed for these relaysifl) "beginning at theterminal B, front through elements III to 82 inclusivatocommon retiu nwire C; and (2) beginning at theterminal B, front contact 210 of the relay B?{ wires 2| I and 284, winding. of the relay B wires 285'and l11,'contact l18, wires I19 and I88,=contactl8l wiresl82'and I83, contact I84, wires I85 and I88, front contact I89, wires I99 and IIII, .back

contact'I82, to common return Wire C.

Energization ,of the stepping relay 23 again reverses the polarity of the potential applied to the st'eppingline by applying positive instead of negative potential to the stepping line wire I through the backcontact 5 of relay CB", wire 6, front contact 28 of relay 2B, and back. contacts 28, 38, 3|, 32, 33 and34 of the relays 2A IE, ID,

EC, IB and IA respectively.

This application of positive potential operates the line relays LRO, LR, and LE to the right,

whereby pick-up circuits for relays 2C and C respectivelyyare closed as follows:( 1). beginning at the terminal B, contact 31 of line relays LE to the right, wires I85, I51, 228 and 22I, front contact 222 of the relay' 2B, wires 223, 228 and 221, winding of the relay 20, wires 228 and 83, through elements 84 to .82 inclusive, to common return wire' C; and, (2') beginning at the terminal B, contact I88 of station selecting relay SR wire I81, contact I68 of the line relay LR to the right, wires I89 and I18, front contact I1I of the relay B wires 238 and 23I, winding of the relay C wires 233 and-I88, back contact I8I of relay D wires I82 and I83, back contact-l84 and 63, elements 84 to 82 inclusive to common re-' turn. wire C; and, (2) beginning at terminal B, front contact 231 of relay C wires 238 and 23I, winding of the relay C wires 233 and I88, back contact I85, wires I82 and I83, back contact I84, wires Hi5 and I88, front contact I89 of relay SR wires I 88and lIJI, backcontactIBZ, to common return wire C. Picking up of. the contacts of relay 20 by opening its back contact 8I, de-energizes the relay 2B and similarly pickingsup of the relay C by opening its back contact I18 oleenergizes relay B Also, closure of contact 2M of the relay 2C applies alternating current to the stepping circuit to maintain the transfer relays TR and TR energized in spite of deenergization of relay 2B and the opening of the alternating current circuit at the contact 240 of the. relay 2B.

Furthen'with the relay 2C energized and the relay 2B deenergized potential of negative polarity is applied tothe stepping circuit through the front contact 2110f relay 2C and-the back contact of all the preceding relays in the series of stepping relays.

With the negative potential applied to the line circuit, the line relays LR, LR and LR assume their left hand, positions and with the relays 2C and C energized the following pick-up circuits are completed for the relays 2D and D respectively:(1) beginning at the terminal "B, contact 31 of the line relay LR-to the left, wires 38,

138, I98, 243 and 244, front Contact 245 of the relay 20, wires 24 6, 2 49 and 258, winding of the relay 2D, wires MI and 86, and through'elements 81 to 82inclusive to common return wire C; and, (2) beginning at the terminal 13 (see Fig. 10)

front contactl88 of the relay SR wire I61, contact I88 of the relay LE2 to the left, wires '20s" and 252, front contact 253 of the relay C wires 254 and 255, winding of the relay D wires 258.

and I83, back contact I84, wires I85 and I88, front contact I88 of relay SR wires I88 and NH, back contact I82 of the reset relay RSR to common return wire C. v

With these relays 2D and D energized the following respective stick circuits are closed for these relays:(l) beginning at the terminal B, front,

contact 258 of the relay 2D, wires 258 and .258, winding of the relay 2D, wires 25I and 56, through elements 61 to 82 inclusive, tocommon return wire C; and, (2) beginning at the terminal B,

.15" and 255, winding of the relayD wires 258 and 183,. back contact !84 of the relay E wires l85 and I88, front contact I89 of relay SR wires i951" front stick contact 288 of the relay D wires 28I and "II back contact I82 to common return wire C.- With these relays 2D and D energized another distinctive and specific messagecircuit is completed as more clearly pointed outherein after.

Energization of'relays 2D and D causes deanergization of the next preceding relays 2C and;

C respectively, for reasons 'obvious from their stickcircuits. Further, with the relay 2D now en-- ergized'and relay 2C deenergized the alternating current for the stepping circuit flows through thecontact' 283 of the relay 2D instead of flowing":

through thecontact 2M of the relay 2C. Further, with the relay 2D energized and 2C deenergized direct current of positive polam'ty is ap plied to the stepping circuit through the medium;

of back contact I6 of relay CD wire I1, front contact 28 of the relay 2D, and the back contacts and 34 of the preceding 21, 28,29, 30, 3|, 32, 33 stepping relays. I

With currentof positive polarity applied to thestepping circuit, the line relays LR," and LE willassume their right hand position thereby completing the following two, respective, pick-up. cir-- cuitsv for the relays 2E and E :-(1), beginning at the terminal B, contact 31 of the line relay LR assuming its right hand position,- wires I85, I51.

228, 284 and 265, front contact 268 of the relay 2D, wires 281, 218 and 21!, winding. of the relay 2E; wires 212 and 89, through elements 18 to 82 inclusive, to common returnqwire C; and. (2)

starting at-the terminal B, front contactlfifi of the relay. SR (see FiglC) wire I81,contact I83 of the relay LE assuming its right hand posi tion, wires I88, 213 and 214, frontcontact 215 of relay D wires 218 and 211, winding of the relay E wires218 and I88. front'contact I89 of relay SR wires I89 and I 8!, back contact I 82 of the relay RSR to common return wire C.

With the relays 2E and E energized the fol--v lowingstick circuits, respectively, are closed for the relays 2E and E :(l) beginning at the terminal- B, front stick contact 288 of the relay 2E,

(see Fig. 13) wires 28I and 21!, winding of the. relay 2E, wires 212 and 88, elements 18 to'82 in-.

elusive, to common return wire CI and, (2) beginning at the terminal B, front contact 282 of the relay'E wires 283 and 211. winding of the relay 2E, wires 218 and I88, front contact I33 of the relay SR wires I89 and MI, back contact I82 of relay RSR, to common return wire C, so that the relays ZE and E? are now stuck up. With these relaysZE and E energized, the stick circuits for the relays Z'Dand D are broken by the contacts 81 and I84, respectively, of the relays 2E and'E h the ay 2E energized and the relay 2D way station is under control.

operations occur at a certain predetermined rate deenergiz ed alternating current isrcut off ofthe stepping line by opening of contact 263,'the contact 284 l of the relaynot beingconnectedrup.

The relays 2E and E are energized simultaneously long enough to complete the desired message circuit, which message circuit will be more clearly described hereinafter. a l

With the alternating current cut on of the. stepping circuit, the transfer relay TR isdeen-.

ergized thereby picking up the station selecting relay SR through the following pick-up circuit beginning at the terminal B, back contact- 90 of the relayTRF (seeF'ig: 1C) wires 9| and286,

men return wireC. With thiscircuit completed the station selecting relay SR is energizechand is then stuck up through the following stick circuit:--beginning at the terminal B, back contact 9!] of the relay TR wires 9| and290, frontcontact 29! of the relay SR vwire 288;:windingof the relay SR wires 289, I and NH, contact I62 of the relay RS133 to common return wire C;

:Pickingup of the station selecting relay SR effects deenergization of therelay SR because the stick circuit for this later relay-is opened at the back contact 98 of the relay SR l t v Having now pointed out specifically how th stepping relays 2A, 23, 2G, 21) and 2E are syn-- chronously energizedsuccessivelywith the mes-.

sage channel selecting relaysA B CAD? and E atway. station No. 2, it will now be pointed out how the-simultaneous energization of correspond-.

ing relays completes-specific message circuits,lor*

message channels; being closed; sequentially and each message channel including the same mes sage wire 2. ,Further operations which occur during this first 'cycle offoperation being de-I.

scribed; will be set'forth hereinafter.

OS indication scanningi -It will be reiterated here, that the normal operation of thesystemi is to transfer the control of the dispatchersioflice' from one Way station to the next way station successively, and to operate themessage channel relays successively at each way station when that These sequential which allows the stepping relays at? the dispatchers oince to be simultaneously energized with the corresponding message channel selecting relays at a way station, for a periodofjtime long enough that a distinctive indication may be message channel selecting relays has been pointed out, only the message channels therebyestablished will be specifically traced.

tion which is being described, and in so doing the track relay .T is. deenergized; With the track relay T deenergized negative current may flow from Way station No. 2 to the indicatingre lay TI in the dispatchers oflice through a message channel closed Whenthe contacts of relays 2E and E simultaneously assume the energized position. i i l The message channel established during each cycle of operation Ebythe energization ,offrelays'; 2E and E is traced as follows:beginning at: the terminal (13-), through back contact 326, of the track relay T, wire 32'Lpfront contact 328 i 75 of the relay E wire 239, back-contact 330 of the relay D ,wire'L33l; back contact 3320f rthe'lrelay wire 335,back:contacti 336 of the relay Al, Wire 33?; message wire 2 to thedispatchers ofiice, wire 338, back contact 339 of the" relayinywire 340, back contact 34l 'ofthe relay 23, Wire 3 12, back? contact 343 of the TelayLZC; wire 344,!back con-f tact 345 of the'relayZD, wire 346, front" contact 3410f therelay 2E, wire 348 winding of the relay TLiwir-e 349, to the; common wire C. This ap plication of current of negative polarity causes the contact 350 ofthe: relay. TI to bemoved to the left thereby completing ithe'nenergizing, circuit: for theindicating lamp TL', indicating to the dispatcher the presence of a train on the main'tracktofrthe passing siding PS. Other similar message channels will be pointed out hereinafter. I l As' the trainapproaches' the signal S it respecifically ceiyes a stop indication. This is because the. signal lever SCL is inits neutral position, which controls certain trafiic controlling devices through the medium of localcircuits, automatically set;

tivevpotential, while control indication messages are repeated according towhether'a'certain mes-* sage channeliscompletedtfor a' longer a short period of itime. l The-normal operating period of time tor a message channel is determined by the T stepping relays IA, 'IB, 1C; etc, while the hesitation period is determined by the insertion of an extra time element I accomplished by means of a hesitation relay. This hesitation which is repeated at the'waystation under control at the" a time elm hesitation, completes certain local circuits which may belconveniently termed. local.

hesitation repeater circuits. n i

I Completion of local hesitation repeater cirtation relay HR (see way station No. 2) and the sloweacting relay RSR difierently and the relayPlBlwill'assume' its energized" condition after the line relay LE as-- cu'its.tAttention*is again directed to the heel-'- These relays are timed sumes oneparticula'r extreme position for a reasonably long period of time; but the slow-acting reset relay RsR does not assumeits energized position unless the line relay LE assumes one particular extreme'position for an unusually long periodwof time. In this n connection the reset relay RSR isfintended to respond during the period required for the stepping relay 3E to i assume its energized positionwhereas the hesii 1 tating relay l-1R is constructed to assume its Let uspfirst assume that a train is moving in' an east bound'direction over (the main "track of the passing siding PS, while this cycle of opera energized position aftera much shorter period ofy timel such as allowed by the hesitating relays deenergizedconditiontduringia cycle of operation Where thelsuccessive steps" are of th'exusual dur'ation. If; on the g-other hand, the synchronous selector system is caused to hiesitateat a particular l step, as will be the case when; the stepping relay tAfis-energizedin response to energization of the next preceding step relay 2B, the hesitating relay HR. will assume its energized position. In p his connectiom attentionis directed to the fact,

that'the stopwcontrol relay ST (see Fig. ll3 -isi energized with the signal control l ever SCL in its neutral position. I .With the stepping relay EZ' now energized, as heretofore explained, and withv the line relays LR. and LR assuming their right hand positions in response to the positive potential applied to the'stepping line by the fact that relay 2D was energized, an impulse of long duration is applied to the relay HS by reason of the fact that the hesitating relay HS must first be contact 266 of the relay 2D, wires 26! and 249,

front contact 238 of the relay ST, Wire 299, winding of the relay ES to common return wireC. After an interval of time due to the slow-acting characteristics of this relay HS, this relay HS will close its front contact 30I, thereby closing the circuit for placing negative potential on the stepping wire I, which circuit was opened at the back contact I8 of the relay ST. Thecircuit for placing negative potential on the stepping line is traced as fol1ows:--from the terminal (3-), through front contact 30!] of relay HS, Wire 333, front contact I8, wire I9, front contact 25 and through back contacts 26, 21, 28, 29, 33, 3|, 32, 33 and 34 to the stepping wire I. It is thus seen; that'the contacts of the line relays remain in right hand positions during a long interval of time, due'to the fact that the slow-acting relay HS is interposed between the relay 2E and the potential on the stepping line wire I.

With the contact I65 of the line relay LE in a right hand position for this long period of time the energization of the relay HR is thereby effected, however the energization of the reset relay RSR is notj'eifected; Also, this occurs while the stepping relay 2E and the channel selectingrelay E are energized, and for this reason the following local hesitation repeater circuit for the steppingrelay' ST (see Fig. 1C) is momentarily completed:-beginning at the terminal B, front contact 3I0 of the-relay HR wire S l front contact 3I2of the station selecting r lay SR2, wire 3I3, back contact 3I4 of the statron selecting relay SR wire 3I5, back contact 3H6 'of the relay A wire 3, back contact 3I8 of the relay B wire 3| 9', back contact 320 of the relay C wire 32I, back contact 322 of the relay D wire 323, front contact 324 of the relay E wire 325, winding of the relay SP to common return wire C. Momentary energization of the stop relay ST momentarily applies current of negative polarity to each of the relays EM, WM,

ES. and WS, but since the relays'already assume 60" left hand position, this being the normal position when all the signals areh'eld at stop nothing will transpire at this time, the signal control lever SCL being in its middle neutral position. It is noted that the OS indication heretofore described, was transinitted'before the relay HR became energized, henceone indication i ransmitted and one indication repeated during the time that'relays 2E andE are simultaneously energized. I

To resume discussion of the operation of the system during'the first cycle described, it will be stated that, the stepping relays 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E are energizedsuccessively because of repeated reversals of polarity of potential applied to the stepping line wire I in a manner identical to that pointed out for'relays 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, and it is believed unnecessary to specifically trace the circuits whereby these relays 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E are successively picked up. It should, however, be noted that, when the relay 3E is be coming energized, this being a slow-acting relay,

an exceptionally long impulse of negative polarity is applied to the stepping circuit, and this negative polarity is of sufficient time duration to pick.

of the contacts of the reset relays, such as I 32 of relay RSI-t assures dropping of all the station. selecting. relays SR SR SR etc. at each way station since the stick circuits for these station selectingrelays all pass through the back contact of thereset relay for a particular Way. station. In other words, the long impulse obtained by reason of the slow-acting stepping relay 3E effects. resynchronization of the system, so that. in the event that a foreign impulse such as a lightning discharge should get the relays out of step, these channel selecting relays and way station selecting relays will be resynchronized at the end of each cycle of operation, so that corresponding channel selecting relays will be energized simultaneously during the next following cycle of operation.

Referring now to Figs. 1A and 1B attention is directed to the fact that alternating current is not applied to the stepping line-wire I, when either of the stepping relays IA, IB, IC or ID is energized, that such alternating current is applieditothe stepping line wire I ,while' any of the stepping relays IE, 2A, 2B, 2C or 2D is energized, such alternating current is not applied While either of the relays 2E, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D or 3E is energized. In other words, t hc alternate application and removal of alternating current potential upon the stepping circuit is the characteristic which transfers the control ofthe disv Let us now assume that the train moving in an ea'stwardly direction'accepts the clear signal S? and treads upon the detector track circuit containing track relays DT, thereby deenergizing this .track relay DT, and completing a message circuit, which controls the indicating relay DI in the dispatchers ofiice each time that the relays 2C and C are energized. This message circuit with the track relay DT deenergized may be traced as follows:-beginning at the terminal (B back contact 35 of the relay DT (see Fig. 1C),*wire 352, front contact 332 of the relay C wire 333,-back contact 334 of the relay B wire 335, back contact 336 of relay A wire 337, message wire 2, wire 338, (see Fig. 1A) back contact V '1',9973514:3 n indicatingrelay DIcauses thecontact 355 to be moved to the left thereby illuminating the indicatinglamp DL. The removalof the train from the track circuit will of course again extinguish the lamp DL for obvious reasons.

, J Dispatch.ers control of tmfiia-Let us now oh- I serve theoperation in response to the dispatchers desire to clear the east bounds'ignal S for-the main track of the passing siding PS. At this time we will assume that the synchronous selector system isoperating in a manner heretofore explalned, so it will bemerely stated that certain relays are energized simultaneously for certain periods of time.

I Since the switch machine SM already assumes its 'main track position, as is indicated; by the indicator lamp NL, the dispatcherwill not need to I move the switch machine lever SML. However,

in order to set upeastboundtraflic, he will move the signal control lever SCL to the rightthereby closing the following circuitfor the control relay i CA (see Fig. 1A):beginning at theterminal B,

therewith to beccompleted, while the relays 2A and A are energizedand also causes thehesitating relay'HR to be energized during this step,

so that the following local hesitationrepeater circuit for'the control relay CA is closed:be-

ginning at theterminal B, front contact 3I0 of the hesitatingrelay HR wire 3| I, front contact 3 I2 of the relay SR Wire 3I3, back contact 3I4 of the relay SR Wire 3I5, front contact 3l6 of the relay A Wire365, winding of the relay CA tofcommon return wire C, Momentary comple tion of this energizing circuit for the relayCA causes'the contacts 353,351, 368, and 359 of the relay CA? to be closedinomentarily; thereby, applying negative potential to each of the relays WM, ESLandJWS butsincethese relays already assumethe left hand position theyhwill not be eifectedathereby, but .the contact365, of relayCA applies positive potential to therelay EM thereby permitting" the wayside signal S to assume a favorable trafiic condition in accordance with trafilcT-conditions in advance, this through the medium of the polar contact 310 of'the relay EM;

J' I Likewise, if the switch machine SM has. not already assumed the main track position, movement of the contact 3' to its right handpositionwould I have 'operated'the switch machine SM. 1 P

Let us now observe h'owthe clearing of signal szds manifestedin the dispatchers ofliceg With the signal S assuming its presentclearposition, this signal being assumed to be a two-position signal for convenience,the relay EI is energized (see Fig. '1C) for obvious reasons. With this signal indicating relay EI assuming its energized position, current of negative potential is applied to the stop indicating relay SI located in the ,dispatchers oflice through the following message circuit -'-beginning at the terminal (B front contact 31201? the relay EI, Wire 313, back con tact 314 of the relay WI, wire 315, front contact 330 or the relay D wire 33I ,back contact 332 of the relay (3?, wire 333, back contact 334 of therelay B wire 335, back contact 336'o'f the contact-.A wire 33'I,,message wire 2, wire 338,

(case n; back contacte39 of the relay 2A,

wire 34llrback contact 34I of the relay 2Bywire front contact 345 of the relay 21), wire 311, winding of the stopindicating relayS I, wire 318,to common return wire C.- Application of. negative potential, to the indicating relay SIfcauses the stop light ;SLto be extinguished and causes the eastbound trafiic light EL to be energized through the following I circliitt -beginning at the terminal B, polar contact 3'I9, of the relay'SIin its left hand position,wire 380,.polar contact 38I of the relay EWin its righthandposition, wire'382, indicating lamp EL to commonreturn wire C.

Let usnow observe certain other combinations of control without the use era train forgiving certain OS indications. This may be done by arbitrarily'choosing thecontrol to be described. If the switchmachin e lever"SMLis now moved to theupper positionwith the signal control lever SCL. initsright hand position, the followingener-R I gizing circuit for thecontrol relay 'CB is closed:

beginning at the terminal B, contact lever SCL in its right hand position, 'wire36I, contact 362 in its raised position, wire 383, winding of the relay CB,to the common wire C. The contact 225 of the hesitatingrelay HE is now interposed between the source of negative potential and the contact 28 of the stepping relay 2B which places negative potential on the stepping wire I, so that a hesitation-will occur while the relays 2B andB are energized; from which it appears that the hesitating relay HR? will assume its energized position while relayB is energized thereby cempleting the following local hesitation-(repeater circuit for the control relay CB :-beg-inning at the terminalB, from contact SID of the relay 3R (see Fig 1C) wire3II, front contact 3I2 of the relay SR wire 3I3,-bacl; contact 3H1 of the relay SR wire 3I5, back contact 3I6 of the relay A wire 3I'I, front contact 3I8 of the relay" B wire 384, winding ofcthe control relay CB to common return wire C. With the control relay CB momentarily energized the contacts 335,385,

381 and388 momentarily apply negativepotential to the relays EM, WMand WSpbut the contact 386 momentarily applies positive potential to the relayES; thus operating the relay ES to the right hand position to cause east bOundtrafiic to be set up off of the siding. Itwill be n'otedfthat movement, of, contact 389 "01? the relay ES to its right hand position applies current to the reverse wire of the switch machine SM thereby oper'atf-j ing this switch-.machine to theLtake-siding position Also,it will be noted'that the movement of contact 390 to its right hand position renders the dwarf starting signal S subject to automatic control, so that this signal s may assume its clear position, providing trafiic conditions in advance r ..60 I Let us nowcbserve how movement of the'track are favorable.

switch from its normal main track position 'to its take-siding position will be manifestedin the dispatchers oflice. With this track switch on the east end of passingsiding' PS assuming its takesiding positioncurrent may fiow froin the terrni- H I nal B, through the contact 351 in its lower position during the time of ,each cycle duringfwhichthe rela'ysZA and A are energized, this circuit being traced asfollowsz -begirming at the terminal (B), switch box contact 351, wire 358, front contact 336 of the relay A wire3 3'I, message wireL-wire 338 (see Fig. 1A) front contact 339 of the relay 2 A, wire 359, winding of the indicating relay SMI, to common return wire C. This relay CC to the connnon wire C.

applicationoi-current of negative polarity to the indicating relay SMI causes the indicating lamp RL to be energized informing the dispatcher that the switchmachine isin its reverse position and causes the normal indicating lamp NL to be extinguished, this-through the medium of the polar contact 33% ofthe relay SMI.

Let us now, see how movement of the signal control lever. SCL to itsextreme left hand position, withtheswitch machine lever SI /JIL in its lower position causes west bound traiiic to'be set up on the main track. With these levers in the positions just mentioned, the following circuit for the control relay CC? is completeda-bteginninglat the terminal B, contact of the lever SCL inits left hand position, wire 39!, contact 392 in a lower extreme position controlled by the left-SML, wire 393,'winding of the relay CCLto common return wire 0., With the relay CC energized the contact 24?, the hesitating relay HC to be interposed. between the contact 2'1 of the stepping relay 2C and the negative potential which it places on the stepping wire l, thereby causing the step during which the relay 2C and C are energized to'h esitate and thereby cornplete the following local hesitation repeater circui t for the control relay (3C (see Fig. 1C) 1-beginning at theterminal B, front contact 3!!) of the relay HR wire 3| I, front contact 312 of the relay SR wire 3L3, back contact 315 of therelay SR wire 3 l5, back contact tlt, wire back Contact 3N3 of the relay B wire 319, front contact 3218 of the reIayC Wire 2228, winding of the This momentary energization of the control 00 causes momentary closure of its contact 42!, 4. 22, G23

and 42%. The relay ES having been previously operated to its right hand position is new again returned to its left lower hand position by reason of contact 422 which-appliesnegative potential to the relay ES. ,Contact 623 of the relay (3C mhowever, applies positive potential to the west bound main track relay WM,-thereby operating the contacts of this relay;,WM to the right, whereby polarconta'ct 3350f this relay WM operatesthe switch machine to the normal main track I position, and polar contact 391 of this relayWiVi clears the signal S providing trarlic conditions in advance are favorable.

, Referring again to the levers in Fig/IA of the drawings, let us assume that" the signal control lever SCLjisin its left hand position to cause a West bound traiiicgcondition to be established,

and that the switch inachine-leverSlilL is opery ated to; its raised 'dottedline-position to cause side track conditions to" be established. Under this condition of the levcrsSCL and SML, the following circuit for the control relay CD-is closed;beginning at the terminal B, lever contact SCL in its left hand position, wire 39!, contact 352 of the lever SML in its raised osition, wire Mill, Winding of the relay CD to: common re turn wire C. With the control relay CD energized, the contact illl of the hesitating relay ED g is now interposed between the source of negative potential and the contact 26 of the stepping relay @D which places negative potential on the stepping wire I, whereby the slow-acting relay I-lD must assume its energized position before current is applied through the contact till of this relay to the stepping wire I. T-hetime consumed in the picking up the hesitating relayED leaves the polar line relays LR and LE in the same position for a suiiicient period of time to cause the hesitating relay HR to close its front conpeatercircuit for the control relay CD is-mo-' mentarily closed:- -beginning at the'terminal B, 1

front contact 8 i Q of the relay HR ,.-wire3I I, front Contact M2 of the relay'SR wire M3, back contactSM of therelay SR wire 3E5, backfcontact 3H3, wire 31], backcontact 3I8, wire 3l9, -:bacl contact 32li,=wire 32!, front contact"322 ofthe relay D ywire M92, winding of the control relay CD to the'comrnon wire C. ,With the relay CD momentarily energized, and bearing in Inind that the contacts of relays EM, ES and WS assume their left hand normal position'but that the contacts ofv the relay WM assume theirrighthan'd position'the contact 4615 of relay CD when momentarily closed returnsthe contacts of relay WM back to their normal-positionbut theucontact 4st of the relay CD applies current of positive polarity to the relay WS momentarily, thereby operating the contacts of relay WS to their right hand position; With the contacts of relay WS'in their right hand position, the contact 4910f this rent to the take-siding signal S thus informing the approaching train that it is to take the siding.

If the levers SCL and SML are now again returned to their normal solid line position, the synchronous selector system is caused to hesitate while the relays ZE -and E areenergized, thus causing the steppingrelay 5T to be momentarily energized all in amanneras heretofore described, and this momentary energization of thestop'relay causes momentary closure of the contaots flfl, 4! l, 452 and M3, and since momentary closure of these contacts applies negative potential to each of the relaysEM, ES, WM and WS, thecontacts of these relays 'are returned to their left hand normal positions, thus leaving "the switch machine in the last position to which itlwas operated and putting all of the'signals S 8 ,8 and S to stop. SummaryP-Applicaut hasthus provided a system of train 'dispatching'in which a synchronous selectorgroup of relays is used for selecting a particular 'way'station out ofa large number of way stations through the medium of the application of alternating current to a stepping circuit in-. termittently, and. a series of channelvselecting relays as provided at each of these way stations of which the channel selecting relays of a selected way station may be'energized sequentially by the application of alternate, negative, andpositive impulses to the same stepping circuit, suitable means being provided for resynchronizatio'ngof the relays with the stepping relays in'the dispatch ers office if they should get out of step; i r

The system is so organized, thatifaparticular channel selecting relay of away station is left in its energized position formore than a pre-' determined time, a specific control function is tation to suitable means at the way'station causes a particular permanent magnet stick type relay to be thereby operated to carry out the multi-' plicity of functions determined by the amount of levers in the dispatchers oifice. i l

In other words, even though. the dispatcher wants to. operate the switch machine and wants toclear a particular signal, thesynchronous selector system need hesitate at one particular. step only in its operation to carry out this plurality of functions, and forthis reason the expenditureof time has been economized in, by so combining the combination of lever positions: into a signal con-.. trol impulse. Attention is also directed to the fact, that if no lever is moved, the time required.

tocomplete a single cycle of operation of the synchronous selector system is thattime required toscan all of the message channels, each or which is used for OS indicating purposes, therebeing no time lost, during whichcontrol. of distant switch machinesor signals is contemplated. If, on the other hand, the dispatcher moves a lever in the dispatchers ofiicexthestep duringwhich a particular'message channel-is completed is made a little longer than the time ordinarily required to take. such step, conveniently called hesitation, this hesitation resulting inthe energization of a slowacting relay at the way station.

,,'1he channel selecting relay is energized and thereby sets up a distinctive local hesitation repeater circuit for carrying out the particular desired control at such way station. i

,The system embodying the present invention is extremelyflexible in that itmay be extended from time to time by merelyadding more relays,

that the system is one that is comparatively simple in its manufacture in that it comprises alarge number of duplicate units which may be manufactured in quantity, and that the systemis readily adapted to various demands, in thatany number of indications and controls may be afiordedat .a particular way station instead of the number specifically shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, and thatthe system is specially organized to economize inthe time required for one complete cycle of operation to take place, bearing in mind that the minimum delay that may occurbetween the origination of an OS indication and its transmissionthrough the system;

is the time required for a complete cycle of operation totake place. v Having thus shownand described one rather specific embodiment of the present invention; and having shown rather specific circuit arrangee ments for carrying out the functions thereof, it isdesiredto be understood, that the particular.

circuit arrangement, selected has been selected for'the purpose of facilitating a disclosure of the invention rather than disclosing the scope-of the invention or the particular circuitarrangement preferably used in carrying out the invention, and that various changes, modifications, and ad: ditions may be made to adapt the invention to the particular railway system to which it is to be 7 applied, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or the idea of means un-.

derlying the .same eXcept as demanded by the scope of the following claims. 3 What I claim as new is:

1. A train dispatching system of the synchroe nous selector typecomprising, astepping circuit, a message wire, alternating1 current respon sive synchronous station selecting means operated solely by alternating current impulses transmitted over said stepping circuit, direct current responsive synchronous selector message circuit completing means operated by direct current impulses transmitted over said stepping circuit only i when rendered eifective by said alternating cur-1c rent responsive synchronous station selecting means, a plurality of message circuits each.

including said message wire and a contact of 'saidmessage circuit completing means. i r "2; A train :dispatching system of the synchronous; selector type comprising, a. stepping cir-u cuit, a message wirefalternating current responsiveWsynchro-nous station selecting meansoper ated. by alternating current impulses transmitted over said stepping circuit, direct current responsive synchronous selector message circuit control means operated. by direct current impulses transmitted over said stepping circuit only whenconditioned by'said alternating current .re-

sponsive synchronous jstation selecting means, a

plurality of message circuits each including said messagexwire and a contact of said message circuit-control means, and means for effecting a distinctive control of a traflic controlling device if. a-p articular message circuitis; closed for more than a predetermined time. a 1

3: Atrain dispatching system of the synchro-I nous selector type comprising; a stepping circuit I including a plurality ofeIectro responSiVe units connected'in series, each unit consistingoffan" alternating current relay; an inductance and a condenser connected series together Iwith'a directcurrent relay connected in multiple therewith; onesynchronous selectormeans foreach f electro-responsive, unit operated. solely .by said alternating current relay of that unit; another synchronous selector means operated by said direction', current relay; and a plurality of local channel circuits eachincluding: acontact of said one synchronous selector means and a contact of said'ano'ther synchronousselector means'in series. r r

la-A train dispatching system of the synchroincluding a plurality of electro-responsive .units connectedinseries, each unit. consisting ofva'n alternating currentreIayQan inductance and a 1 condenser connected in series, together witha direct current polar relay connected in-multiple therewith; onecsynchronous selector means for so nousselectortype comprising; a stepping'circuit" each of said units operated solely bysaid ala tern'ating" current relay ofthat unit; another alternating current. relay, an'inductance and a condenser connectedinseries, and a direct cur- I rent relay connected in multiple therewith; one synchronous selector means operated by said alternatijngcurrent relay; another synchronous scf-f lector. means operated by said direct current relay whenlselected bycsa'idone synchronous selector meansja message wire;larplurality of ,message circuits eachincluding said message wire anda'contact of .said another synchronous selector means in series; and means'for effecting j a distinctive control ofa traffic icontrolling device in response toahesitatio-n in the operation.

of said another. synchronous selector means.

Inatrain dispatching system 'of- -the synseries withsaid front contact of said chronous selectorrtype; the combination witha pluralityof stepping relays connected in a cir'- cuitarrangement so 'that the application of electrical. energy'will cause said relays to be picked upendzidropped; successively one at a time at a atcycle of operation comprising; a slow-acting- .hesitatingrelay, and means for at times inserting said. hesitating relay between two successive stepping :relays in'their circuit connections,

so that the. additional time during which a particular-stepping relay is energized is increased itoian extent. corresponding to the difference be- 1 tween the time required for the hesitatingrelay and :the stepping relay to assume their ener gized positions; 7;In a trainxdispatching system of the synchronousselector type; the combination with a plurality of stepping relays connected in la cir-' cuit arrangement so that the application of electrical energy will cause said relays to be picked up. and dropped. successively one at a time at a iiunifo-rm stepping rate, of means for at times causingha hesitation in the stepping rate at a particularstep in the cycle of operation comprising, arline relay, a circuit for controlling said line. relay including a front contact of a particular-stepping relay, said line relay vwhenoperated in'response to closure of said circuit energizing the next succeeding stepping relay, a slow actinghesitation relay, and means for including ia"; front contact of said hesitation relay in particular stepping relay in said circuit. 8.: Ina traindispatching system of the synl chronous selector'type; the combination with a plurality of stepping relays connected in a circuit arrangement: so that the application of electrical energythereto will cause said relays to bepicked up: and-dropped successively one at a time at a' uniform stepping rate, or means-"for at times causing a hesitation in the stepping rate at 'a- I particularstep in-the cycle of operation comprising; a': line relay, a circuit for controlling said line relay including a front contact of a particular stepping relay,.said line relay when operated in response to closure of said circuit energizing the next succeedingstepping relay, a slow-acting hesitation relay, and means for simultaneously connesting-said hesitation relay in multiple with said nousselector type comprising; a stepping circuit; armessage' wire; alternating current responsive I synchronous station. selecting means operated solely b'y. alternating current impulses transmittedxoverxsaidstepping circuit; direct current responsive synchronous selector message circuit controlmeansoperated by direct current impulses .transmittedover said stepping circuit; a plural ity of messagepcircuits each including said. message wi-re andga; contact of said'message circuit control-means; and means for resyn'chnonizing' nousnselectortype comprising; a stepping circuit; a message wire; alternating current responsive I synchronous; stationiselecting. means operated by alternating current, impulsestransmitted over said stepping circuit;. direct current responsive synchronous selector messagecircuit controlmeans operated by direct current impulses transmitted over saidsteppingcircuit; a: plurality of message circuits each including said message wire and a contact" of" said message circuit control means; means for effecting a distinctive control of atrafiic controlling device if a particular; mew.

sage circuit is closed for more than a predetermined time; and meansfor resynchronizing said synchronous station selecting means and said synchronous message circuit control the end of each cycle. 1 V I a 11. In a selector systemfor controllingdistant track switches and signals on a railroad, the'combination with a plurality'of way stations and a central oiiice, of a line circuit connecting each of said way stations and said central office, selector apparatuslocatedat each of said way stations each selectively responsive to energize a particular relay in accordance withfthe number of impulses of each of two distinctive characters applied to said line circuit, and means at said central bination with a pluralityof way stations and a central office, of a line circuit connecting each of;

said way stations and said central ofiice,selector apparatus located at each of said way stations each responsive to energize a particularirelayin accordance with the number of impulses of each of two distinctive currents applied .to said line circuit, and in accordance with the duration of application of one of said impulses, means at said centraloflicefor applying current impulses of two distinctive currents tosaid line circuit, and means:

for at times extending the duration of one of said impulses. ,7

13.111 a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, the combination with a central office and a plurality of way stations, of a stepping circuit anda message circuit connectin gsaid cen tral office and said Way stations, station selecting means and code responsive means at each of said way stations controlled entirely through the medium of said stepping circuit, traffic controlling'devices ateach way station, meansat said central oifice for controlling the traffic controlling devices at a particular wayv station over the stepping circuit through the medium of the station selecting means and the code responsive means at that station; and means for simultaneously indicating in saidcentral ofiice the operated conditions of said trafiic controlling devices at said particular way station over said message circuit,

14. A code impulse generating relay group com prising, a'series of stepping relays, a stepping line means at over which codes of impulses'of various spaced durations are to be transmitted, a line relay in said stepping line controlled by said stepping re-' lays and for controlling said stepping relays, and

.an auxiliary slow-acting relay at times inserted to repeat a particularstepping relay and'thereby delay the control of said line relay bysaid particvular stepping relay so as to extend the time be tween successive impulses.

15. A code impulse generating relay group comprising, a series of stepping relays, a stepping" line .over. which codes of'impulses of various spaced durations are to be transmitted, a line relay in said stepping line controlled by said stepping, relays and for controlling said stepping relays, and an auxiliary slow-acting relay at times insertedto repeat a particular stepping relay and,

thereby delay the control of .saidline relay by said particular stepping relay so as to extend the time between successive impulses.

16. In a system for controlling traffic on railroads, the combination with a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations, a stepping circuit and a messagecircuitconnecting said dispatchers oflice and said several stations, stepping relays in the dispatchers office and at each station operated synchronously by impulses applied to,

saidsteppingcircuit,,station selecting means and code responsive means at each station including said steppingrelays and responsiye to the characteristics of the impulses applied to said stepping l circuit said code responsive meansat a given station being responsive to the impulses applied to the stepping circuit only when the station selecting means at that station is operated, traific controlling devicesat each station governed by the code responsive means at that station, and

means including said stepping relays for simultaneously transmitting indications from a selected station to the dispatchers office over said message circuit. v

17. In a system. for transmitting controls from a dispatchers ofiice to several way stations and receiving indications in the 'dispatchers ofiice of the operatedconditionlof trafiic controlling devices at said stations, a stepping circuit and a message circuit connectingthe dispatchers office with theseveral stations, means acting over said steppingcircuit alone for selecting said stations one at a time and for transmittingthe desired controls to the selected station, and means for simultaneously communicating indications from said selected station to the dispatchers of V fice over said message circuit. 1 l

18. In a system of communication between a dispatchers oifice and a plurality of way stations,

a control line circuit and an indication line circuit connecting the dispatchers office with the several stations, station selecting, means and traffic controllingfdevices at each station governed over said control circuit alone, and indieating means in the ,dispatchersofiice simultaneously governed over said indication line circuit.

19. In a dispatching system for railroads, a dispatchers ofiice, a plurality of way stations, a line circuit connecting said dispatchers office with the several stations, means in the dispatchers office for applying to said line circuit a plurality of alternating current impulses and a plurality of direct current impulses, andstation selecting means and code responsive control meansat each station actuated respectively bysaid impulses.

20. In ,a centralized traffic control system for railroads, a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations, a line circuit connecting said dispatchers office with the several way stations, meansin the dispatchers oflice for applying to said line circuit a plurality of current, impulseseach impulse being one or the other oftwo distinctive characters, station selecting means at each Way station responsive during a particular impulse of one character, andcontrol means at each Way station distinctively responsive to the duration of a particular impulse of the opposite character.

21 In a centralized traffic control system for j railroads a dispatchers oflice and a plurality of way stations, a line circuit connecting said dispatchers oilice with said way stations, means placing a plurality of impulses on said line circuit, means for selectingsaid stations successively said means selecting one station upon the application of each impulse and one station upon,

the removal of each impulse, and means governing traffic controlling devices over said linecircuit at the selected station; I

22. Ina centralized trafiic'control system ,for

railroads, a dispatchers officeand away station, a plurality of controllevers at said dispatchers ofiice, a track switch, and signals governing traffic thereover .at said way station,'a

stick relay for governing each route over said:

track switch, step-by-step means at the dispatchers ofiice and at the way station'operated synchronouslyia circuit connecting saiddispatchers office withsaid way station, abank of code responsive relays at the way station governed,

in accordance with the position of said levers by impulses placed on said linecircuit, and means I including said code responsive relays for controlling 'all of said stickrelayssimultaneously.

23. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a dispatchers oflice, a plurality of Way stations, a single line circuit extending from said dispatchers" office through said way stations, means in the dispatchers office for applying a series of impulses tosaid line circuit for selecting saidstations selectively and transmitting controls to the selected station, said controls being transmitted by prolonginga particular impulse of the seriesapplied while a particular station is selected, station selecting means at each station responsive to certain impulses of ,each

reason of the prolonged duration of a particular impulse of that series; step-by-step means operated one step'ior each impulse of a series; a,plul rality of stick "relays; and means for distinctively controlling said plurality of stick relays simultaneouslydependingupon which, impulse of the series is prolonged,

, 25. In a centralised traffic controlling systemfor railroads; a dispatchers office; a way station,v a plurality of control levers at said dispatchersoffice; a track switch and signals governing traffic thereover at, said Way station; I a line circuit connecting said dispatchers office with said way station; meansin the dispatchers oflice for impressing onsaid line circuit a code made up of a predetermined number of code ele- ,ments; means for selectively prolonging at least one of the code elements of a code in accordance with the position of said control levers; step-byoperating said step-'by-step means successively;

step means; means responsive to said code for i a plurality of stickrelays, each of said stick relays being adapted to govern a particular routeover said jtrack switch; and means for selectively controlling said stick relays simultaneously in accordance with the position of said step-by-step means when a prolonged code element occurs.

OSCAR H. DICKE.

DISCLAIM ER 1,997,5 i3.0sca1 H. Diclce, Rochester, N. Y. TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILRoADs. Patent dated April 9, 1935. Disclaimer filed February 8, 1937, by the essignee, General Railway Signal Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer by disclaiming from claims 23 and 24 any system, except wherein the "impulses specified are energizations of the line circuit and the prolonged impulse is a prolonged energizetion of said line circuit.

[Oflicial Gazette March 2, 1937.] 

